S Mike Edwards is wanted by the Bills and Colts; S Julian Blackmon is in Buffalo.

The Bills cut Jordan Poyer just before free agency, ending one of the best safety tandems of the twenty-first century. Although Micah Hyde is still unsigned, the Bills have changed their strategy following seven years of the Poyer-Hyde duo.

since added Poyer on a lower-cost contract. The Bills are still looking for answers to fill the veterans’ spots. Two options — on what quickly became a crowded safety market — have emerged.

The Bills scheduled meetings with Julian Blackmon and Mike Edwards, according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz and the Indianapolis Star’s Joel Erickson. Buffalo looks to have one box checked at the position, re-signing Taylor Rapp,  but another starter-caliber solution will be necessary for the four-time reigning AFC East winners.

C top 50 free agents still available, Blackmon could still be in the team’s plans. But the former second-round pick is gauging his options on a market that became saturated with experienced safety starters.

In addition to Hyde, the Seahawks and Broncos made Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs and Justin Simmons available. The Saints cut Marcus Maye, while the Bears released Eddie Jackson. These players’ availability makes Blackmon, Edwards, Hyde and other UFAs’ quest to land notable contracts more difficult.

Blackmon is just 25, however, and should be a starter somewhere next season. Kamren Curl‘s underwhelming Rams contract did reveal a divide between what the Packers gave Xavier McKinney and the lower ceiling for the rest of the market this offseason. No other safety collected more than $7.5MM per year. It is safe to assume Blackmon, despite being a four-year Colts starter who played across the secondary in Gus Bradley‘s scheme, will land midlevel money at best — perhaps on a short-term deal as a way to improve his stock for another free agency run

After Bryan Cook suffered a season-ending injury early in December, Edwards played for the Chiefs the previous season, being thrown into a starting role. Last year, the former safety for the Buccaneers, who has now started in two Super Bowls, signed a cheap contract to join the Chiefs. He recovered two fumbles, returning one 97 yards in Week 18, and intercepted two passes, the second during Kansas City’s playoff run. In Super Bowl LVIII, Edwards, 27, was on the field for 97% of the Chiefs’ defensive plays.

Field Yates of ESPN reports that the Colts and Edwards also had a meeting. He would appear to fit Indianapolis’ profile as a less expensive option, given they have been active keeping defenders this month. With Blackmon gone, there would be a gap at safety for a defense that already needed additional support at the outside corner.